June 24, 2009

Justin Smoak update

After missing nearly a month with an oblique problem, Smoak beat up the Arizona Summer League for a couple days, but didn’t get a mention here, as when you are an elite-level 22-year old beating up on teenagers in a complex league, it just doesn’t count. This does however, as last year’s first-round selection picked up where he left off, raising his season averages to a fantastic .331/.450/.506. Meanwhile, in big league news, Rangers first baseman Chris Davis is 4-for-30 with 14 whiffs in his last nine games. We’re just sayin’.

Smoak is back. Returning from an oblique strain that cost him nearly a month, the switch-hitter rehabbed twice in Surprise, Ariz. — with the big club in town for the D-backs series and some key front office officials along for the trip — going 4-for-6 with two home runs and a triple, and upon his return to Frisco he’s gone 3-for-6. As Chris Davis’ struggles continue, the Smoak clock is starting to tick more loudly.